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This report is an update of SP1022 and outlines the applicable legislation regarding the export of U.S. food products to Spain,
Foreign Agricultural Service
30 December 2011
Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards

THIS REPORT CONTAINS ASSESSMENTS OF COMMODITY AND TRADE ISSUES MADE BY
USDA STAFF AND NOT NECESSARILY STATEMENTS OF OFFICIAL U.S. GOVERNMENT
POLICY
Required Report - public distribution
Date: 12/16/2011
GAIN Report Number: SP1125
Spain
Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards -
Narrative
FAIRS Country Report
Approved By:
Robert Hanson
Agricultural Attaché
Prepared By:
Marta Guerrero
Agricultural Specialist
Report Highlights:
This report is an update of SP1022 and outlines the applicable legislation regarding the export of U.S.
food products to Spain, particularly those rules that differ from EU legislation or regulation. This report
should be read in conjunction with the EU-27 Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards
Report, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/posthome/useu/fairs.html.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION I. FOOD LAWS
SECTION II. LABELING REQUIREMENTS
SECTION III. PACKAGING AND CONTAINER REGULATIONS
SECTION IV. FOOD ADDITIVES REGULATIONS
SECTION V. PESTICIDES AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS
SECTION VI. OTHER REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
SECTION VII. OTHER SPECIFIC STANDARDS
SECTION VIII. COPYRIGHT AND/OR TRADEMARK LAWS
SECTION IX. IMPORT PROCEDURES
APPENDIX I – GOVERNMENT REGULATORY AGENCY CONTACTS
APPENDIX II – OTHER IMPORT SPECIALIST CONTACTS
DISCLAIMER: This report was prepared by the Office of Agricultural Affairs of the USDA/Foreign
Agricultural Service in Madrid, Spain for U.S. exporters of domestic food and agricultural products.
While every possible care was taken in the preparation of this report, information provided may not be
completely accurate either because policies have changed since its preparation, or because clear and
consistent information regarding these policies was not available. It is highly recommended that U.S.
exporters verify the full set of import requirements with their foreign customers, who are normally best
equipped to research such matters with local authorities, before any goods are shipped.
FINAL CUSTOMS CLEARANCE APPROVAL OF ANY PRODUCT IS SUBJECT
TO THE IMPORTING COUNTRY’S RULES AND REGULATIONS AS INTERPRETED BY
BORDER OFFICIALS AT THE TIME OF PRODUCT ENTRY.
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Section I. Food Laws:
As a member of the European Union (EU), Spain follows all EU directives, regulations, and
obligations where available. This report outlines the applicable legislation regarding the export of
U.S. food products to Spain, particularly those rules that differ from EU legislation or regulation.
For detailed information on EU Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards (FAIRS),
see reports produced by the U.S. Mission to the EU in Brussels, Belgium, available at
http://www.fas.usda.gov/posthome/useu/usda.html as well as at
http://gain.fas.usda.gov/Pages/Default.aspx.
Food laws of individual member states have mostly been fully harmonized into EU law. However, it
is important to note that when EU-wide legislation is incomplete or absent, Spanish laws apply and
imported product must meet existing Spanish requirements.
Food and beverage products originating in the United States do not require any special Spanish
permits and are not subject to special rules or regulations regarding retail sale in Spain. However, all
products must comply with the generally applied rules and regulations required for any food and
beverage product sold within the EU market. Spain’s food regulations apply to both domestically
produced and imported food products.
In Spain, the Food Safety and Nutrition Law (Law 17/2011) published in July 2011, outlines the
basic Spanish food and feed regulations. This law is based in EU regulations and directives and
includes the traditional food safety aspects of detection and removal of physical, chemical and
biological hazards as well as other less conventional issues such obesity prevention and food
advertising rules.
The Spanish Food Safety and Nutrition Law established basic definitions, goals and principles for
food safety. It also defines procedural rules, coordination mechanisms between the different public
administrations with responsibilities in official food control. It defines general food safety and health
protection rules, regulates inspection, detention and seizure rules of suspect food and classifies
breaches.
Spain has a decentralized system for testing and controlling the feed and food chain. While the
central government has total oversight over the controls carried out in customs, the autonomous
communities establish their own monitoring and sampling plans throughout the food and feed chain
coordinated by national authorities. Sampling plans are based on risk assessment and sampling is
primarily done at the wholesale and the processing level.
In Spain, the Ministry of Health, Social Welfare and Gender Equality (MSPSI) controls agricultural
imports intended for human consumption; while the Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine
Affairs (MARM) controls imports of animal feed/ingredients and live animals. Food Safety is the
responsibility of the Spanish Food and Safety and Nutrition Agency (AESAN), ascribed to the
MSPSI that coordinates the food chain control. AESAN was established as an independent agency
and it is also responsible for risk management. Within the MARM, the Sub directorate General for
Animal Feed and Resources Preservation coordinates the National plan in feedstuffs.
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Please note: The following products sourced in the United States and imported into the EU must
originate from an EU-approved U.S. establishment - red meat, meat products, farmed and wild game
meat, ratites, milk and milk products, seafood, bovine embryos and semen, porcine and equine
semen, gelatin and animal casings.
Section II. Labeling Requirements:
Spain applies EU-harmonized legislation to:
General Labeling Requirements
Nutritional Labeling
Product-Specific Labeling
GMO and Novel Foods Labeling
The Government of Spain permits multi-language labeling and stickers; however, one of the
languages must be Spanish.
For detailed information on the EU-harmonized labeling legislation, please consult the EU-27 FAIRS
Report http://www.fas.usda.gov/posthome/useu/fairs.htmlwell as the USEU website
http://www.fas.usda.gov/posthome/useu/label.html.
Section III. Packaging and Container Regulations:
Spain applies EU-harmonized legislation to packaging and containers. For detailed information on
the EU’s harmonized legislation on packaging and container regulations, please consult the EU-27
FAIRS Report http://www.fas.usda.gov/posthome/useu/fairs.html as well as the USEU website
http://www.fas.usda.gov/posthome/useu/packaging.html.
Section IV. Food Additives Regulations:
Spain applies EU-harmonized legislation regarding food additives. For detailed information on the
EU-harmonized legislation on food additive regulations, please consult the EU-27 FAIRS Report:
http://www.fas.usda.gov/posthome/useu/fairs.html as well as the USEU website
http://www.fas.usda.gov/posthome/useu/additive.html.
Section V. Pesticides and Other Contaminants:
Spain strictly adheres to EU-harmonized legislation on pesticides and contaminants; however, where
the EU does not have a maximum residue level (MRL) for a given pesticide or specific contaminant,
Spain’s national limits are applied.
The complete list of MRLs, and commodity combinations allowed in the EU can be obtained from
the Commission’s webpage at http://ec.europa.eu/food/plant/protection/pesticides/index_en.htm
An European database on MRLs is available at:
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http://ec.europa.eu/food/plant/protection/pesticides/database_pesticide_en.htm
However, where the EU does not have a Maximum Residue Level (MRL) for a given pesticide or
specific contaminant, Spain’s national limits are applied. When a pesticide is not listed under the EU
harmonized MRL list, it will likely be subject to Spanish legislation as listed in the following
Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs (Subdirección General de Medios de
Producción) link:
http://www.marm.es/es/agricultura/temas/medios-de-produccion/productos-fitosanitarios/fitos.asp
For detailed information on EU-harmonized legislation on pesticide and contaminant regulations,
please consult the EU-27 FAIRS Report http://www.fas.usda.gov/posthome/useu/fairs.html as well
as the USEU website http://www.fas.usda.gov/posthome/useu/pesticides.html.
While the official standards are set by the public administration, the large majority of food retailers
require certification of good agricultural practices. The private certification schemes include not
only stricter limits for MRL but also with other additional requirement. The most widely used
schemes in Spain include AENOR, Globalgap, BRC, IFS and Q+S.
Section VI. Other Regulations and Requirements:
The Spanish Government applies EU-harmonized legislation for other related regulations and
requirements including product inspection, registration and certification.
For detailed information on certification, please consult the following websites:
Certificates for Plant Products - http://www.fas.usda.gov/posthome/useu/plantcertif.html
Certificates for Animal Products - http://www.fas.usda.gov/posthome/useu/certification.html
Certificates for Processed Foods - http://www.fas.usda.gov/posthome/useu/foodcertif.html
Please note: Council Directive 2000/29/EC, harmonizes the importation requirements of plants and
plant products into the EU. Phytosanitary certificates, issued by an APHIS inspector, are required to
accompany all plant and plant products entering the EU. Your nearest APHIS Export Certification
Specialist can be found at:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/plant_exports/ecs/index.shtml
For detailed information on specific certificates to export to Spain please consult the latest version of
Spain’s FAIRS Certificate report at: http://gain.fas.usda.gov/Pages/Default.aspx
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Section VII. Other Specific Standards:
For detailed information on the EU-harmonized legislation on other specific standards, please consult
the EU-27 FAIRS Report. Detailed information may also be obtained at the following links:
A. GMOs
B. Novel Foods
C. Fortified Foods
D. Dietetic or Special Use Foods
E. Wine, Beer and Other Alcoholic Beverages
F. Organic Foods
G. Vertical Legislation (Breakfast Directives)
H. Beef Labeling
I. Egg Labeling
J. Frozen Foods
K. Irradiated Foods
L. Fruits and Vegetables
M. Seafood
N. Pet Food
Section VIII. Copyright and/or Trademark Laws:
The Spanish Office for Patents and Trademarks, ascribed to the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and
Trade, is the public body responsible for the registration and granting the different types of Industrial
Property ranking from industrial property titles, including brands and commercial names (or distinctive
signs), inventions, and industrial designs.
In addition, Spain is a member of the World Intellectual Property international Organization (WIPO),
a signatory to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, and a party to the
Madrid Agreement on International Registration of Trademarks and Prevention of the Use of False
Origins. Both the Trademark and the Intellectual Property Laws address protection of brand names
and trademarks.
The regulations and standards covered under this section have been harmonized with the European
Union requirements. For detailed information on EU-harmonized legislation on pesticide and
contaminant regulations, please consult the EU-27 FAIRS Report. Also please refer to Council
Regulation 207/2009, which created a single, unitary trademark registration system for the entire
European Community.
Council Regulation 510/2006 lays down the rules on the protection of designation of origin and
geographical indications for agricultural products intended for human consumption (except wine
and spirit drinks which are covered by separate legislation). Commission Regulation 1898/2006
established detailed rules for the implementation of Regulation 510/2006. Under these
regulations, third country operators can submit registration applications directly to the
Commission and can object directly to new registrations. Guidelines for the registration of GIs by
third country producers are published on the Commission’s website at:
http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/quality/schemes/index_en.htm
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Lists of protected names by country, product type, registered name and name applied for are
available through the Commission’s online “DOOR” (Database of Origin and Registration)
database.
For detailed information on the EU-harmonized legislation on copyright and/or trademark laws,
please consult the EU-27 FAIRS Report as well as the USEU website
http://www.fas.usda.gov/posthome/useu/GI.html .
Section IX. Import Procedures:
First Steps to Enter the Spanish Market
As a member of the European Union (EU), Spain follows all EU directives, regulations, and obligations
where available. All EU Member States apply the same import duties on goods imported from outside
the EU based on tariff classification of goods and the customs value. Once import goods are cleared in
one Member State, they can be moved freely throughout the EU territory.
However, U.S. exporters interested in introducing a product into the Spanish market should obtain
local representation and/or a local importer/distributor to gain knowledge of the market, up-to-date
information and guidance on trade laws and business practices, sales contacts, and market
development expertise. As local importers have primary responsible to the Spanish Government for
imported food products entering Spanish territory, they are in the best position to provide guidance to
U.S. exporters through the market-entry process. For additional information on the Spanish Market,
please see Spain’s Exporters Guide.
Import Documentation
The following documents are required for ocean or air cargo shipments of food products into Spain:
Bill of Lading and/or Airway Bill
Commercial Invoice
Phytosanitary Certificate and/or Health Certificate when applicable
See “SECTION VI. Other Regulations and Requirements”
Import Certificate
Most food products require an Import Certificate issued by the competent Spanish authorities. This
certificate must be obtained by the importer as it is intended for tariff classification purposes.
Temporary Entry
Temporary entry may be permitted for goods in transit (up to 24 months), manufacturing for re-
export, and/or for temporary storage. Generally, the exporter must pay normally applied import
duties and VAT, which are then reimbursed upon re-export of the merchandise to a destination
outside of the EU.
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Samples and Advertising Material
Spain grants duty free entry to giveaway samples if properly labeled. Samples are, however, subject
to the same import documentation requirements that apply to normal commercial imports. They also
require a nominal value for customs declaration purposes on the commercial invoice which must
carry the statement “Samples without Commercial Value.”
For detailed information on the procedure to import commercial samples without commercial value
to Spain please consult the Spain’s latest FAIRS Certificate report at:
http://gain.fas.usda.gov/Pages/Default.aspx.
Appendix I. Government Regulatory Agency Contacts:
Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
Imported Foodstuffs, Contaminations and Compound Residues, Health Certification, Port
Inspection and EU Alerts
Ministerio de Sanidad y Política Social
Subdirección General de Sanidad Exterior
Paseo del Prado, 18 y 20
28014 Madrid
Tel.: +34-91-596-1000
Fax: +34-91-596-4480
Website: http://www.mspsi.es
E-mail : saniext@mspsi.es
Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and Gender Equality
Spanish Food Safety and Nutrition Agency
Ministerio de Sanidad, Política Social e Igualdad
Agencia Española de Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutrición (AESAN)
C/ Alcalá, 56
28071 Madrid
Tel.: +34-91-338-0392
Fax: +34-91-338-0378
Website: http://www.aesan.mspsi.es
E-mail: informacionaesan@mspsi.es
Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs
Plant Health Unit - Inspection and Certification
Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Medio Rural y Marino
Subdirección General de Acuerdos Sanitarios y Control en Frontera
C/ Alfonso XII, 62
28071 Madrid
Tel.: +34-91-347-8241
Fax: +34-91-347-8248
Website: http://www.marm.es/app/CPRP/CPRP1.aspx
Email: sgsveget@mapa.es
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Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs
Animal Health Unit - Inspection and Certification
Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Medio Rural y Marino
Subdirección General de Acuerdos Sanitarios y Control en Frontera
C/ Alfonso XII, 62
28071 Madrid
Tel.: +34-91-347-8241
Fax: +34-91-347-8248
Website: http://cexgan.mapa.es/Modulos/Default.aspx
Email: sgsveget@mapa.es
Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs
Planting Seeds and Nursery Products (import requirements, seed registration and certification,
and commercial seed catalogs)
Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Medio Rural y Marino
Oficina Española de Variedades Vegetales
C/ Alfonso XII, 62
28071 Madrid
Tel.: +34-91-347-6659
Fax: +34-91-347-6703
Website: http://www.marm.es/es/agricultura/temas/medios-de-produccion/semillas-y-plantas-de-
vivero/
Email: oevv@marm.es
Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs
Pesticides, Registration and MRL Establishment
Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Medio Rural y Marino
Subdirección General de Medios de Producción
C/ Alfonso XII, 62
28071 Madrid
Tel.: +34-91-347-4058
Fax: +34-91-347-4087
Website: http://www.marm.es/es/agricultura/temas/medios-de-produccion/productos-
fitosanitarios/fitos.asp
Spanish Patent and Trademark Office
Oficina Española de Patentes y Marcas
Paseo de la Castellana, 75
28046 Madrid
Tel.: +34-902 157 530
Website: http://www.oepm.es/es/index.html
E-mail: informacion@oepm.es
EU Trademark Register
Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market
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Avenida de Europa, 4
03008 Alicante
Tel.: +34-96-513-9100
Fax: +34-96-513-1344
Website: http://oami.europa.eu/ows/rw/pages/index.en.do
E-mail: information@oami.europa.eu
Ministry of Economy and Finance Customs and Duties
Ministerio de Economía y Hacienda
Departamento de Aduanas e Impuestos Especiales
C/ Guzmán El Bueno, 132 28003
Madrid
Tel.: +34-91-582-6805
Website: www.aeat.es
WTO Inquiry Post
a. For technical regulations:
Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade
Ministerio de Industria, Turismo y Comercio
Secretaría de Estado de Comercio Exterior
Subdirección General Certificación y Asistencia Técnica de Comercio Exterior
Paseo de la Castellana, 162, 6a planta
28046 Madrid
Tel: +34 91 349 37 59
Fax: (+34 91) 349 37 77
E-mail: sgsoivre.sscc@mcx.es
Website: www.mcx.es/sgcomex/Soivre/Obstaculos.htm
a. For standards:
Spanish Association for Standardization and Certification
Asociación Española de Normalización y Certificación (AENOR)
Calle Génova n° 6
28004 Madrid
Tel: (+34 91) 432 5965
Fax: (+34 91) 310 45 96
E-mail: info@aenor.es
Website: http://www.aenor.es
European Union – Delegation of the European Union to the United States
2300 M Street
NW, Washington, DC 20037
Tel.: (202) 862-9500
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Fax: (202) 429-1766
United States Mission to the European Union
Office of Agricultural Affairs
27 Boulevard du Regent
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Tel.: +32-2-508 2760
Fax: +32-2-511 0918
Website: http://www.fas.usda.gov/posthome/useu/about.html
E-mail: AgUSEUBrussels@fas.usda.gov
Appendix II. Other Import Specialist Contacts:
The USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service Office for Spain and Portugal, located in Madrid, can also
assist U.S. exporters in obtaining specific national legislation on all food product directives. You
may contact us at the following address:
Foreign Agricultural Service
Office of Agricultural Affairs
American Embassy Madrid
C/ Serrano, 75 – Box 20
28006 Madrid
Spain
Tel.: +34-91-587-2555
Fax: +34-91-587-2556
Website: http://madrid.usembassy.gov/about-us/fas.html
Email: AgMadrid@fas.usda.gov
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